Box-ending machine



@ein 2@ H955 W R WATSQN Q B0X-ENDING MACHINE Filed June l?, 1949 5Sheets-snaai l 54 4.' l l. l. 421.... Mull..."

Dec. 20, 1955 W R, WATSQN 29?279443 B0X-ENDING MACHINE Filed June 17,1949 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 2G, 1955 w. R. WATSON @Mw-i143 BOX-ENDINGMACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed June 1,7 1949 Unite States yPatentBOX-ENDlNG MACHENE William Richard Watson, East Walpole, Mass., assignorto Bird & Son, lne., East Walpole, Mass., a corporation of MassachusettsApplication June 17, 1949, Serial No. 99,810

6 Claims. (Cl. 93-36.3)

The present invention relates `to box making machines, and moreparticularly to box-ending machines by which the ends of a partiallyformed box may rapidly and effectively be secured.

While box-making apparatus of the `type wherein an operator presents apartially formed box to a press-type machine for completion of the boxend has long been employed, such apparatus has generally been relativelymassive and cumbersome. On the one hand, it is necessary, for propersealing of the box end, to apply heavy pressure to the box endformation, customarily of the order o-f several tons, if the sealing andsetting of the adhesive is to be effected in a brief interval. On theother hand, if kthe machine is to be capable of a high rate ofproduction, the pressing operation must be so controlled that it may beinitiated with extreme rapidity and with a minimum of effort on the partof the operator.

Heretofore, such machines have been of the mechanical type, in which thepressing force is developed by massive cam and lever means or equivalentmechanism, with some form of one-revolution clutch mechanism forconnecting the cam to its driving means for a single revolution, whenthe press is to be actuated. Because of the inertia of the heavy parts,and time lags in the control mechanism, the interval during whicheffective sealing pressure is applied to the box end is generally but asmall part of the total time for one complete cycle of the machine.

With a view, therefore, to improving the general construction and modeof operation of machines of the aforesaid type, the present inventionhas as an object the provision of a machine that is capable of extremelyrapid operation, yet provides a relatively long dwell in closedposition, whereby heavy pressure is applied to the box end throughout asubstantial portion of the machine cycle. As a result, the box mayeffectively be sealed with a minimum amount of adhesive, and it becomespossible to make effective .use of the somewhat slower setting coldadhesives.

Another object of the invention is to provide a boxending machine ofextremely simple construction and operation, which will be capable ofoperation over long periods of time with a minimum of servicing andattention.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel and improvedform of control, which will prevent the operation of the machine duringthe initial phases of box presentation and insertion, but will, afterthe box is properly inserted, permit the operator to actuate the pressand cause sealing pressure to be applied throughout a predeterminedperiod of adjustable duration.

ln accordance with these and other objects, the invention contemplates amachine wherein the sealing pressure is applied to the box end formationby electromagnetic means, so as substantially to eliminate heavyrotating parts, clutch mechanisms and thelike.

The invention likewise contemplates as a feature thereof control meanslying in the path of and encountered fice by the box as the box is beingadvanced to the press, said control means being so arranged that thepress is locked out of operation at this stage, the control beingoperative, however, after completion of insertion of the box end betweenthe pressing surfaces to enable the press operation to be started by theoperator immediately upon proper placement of the box within the press.

The several features of the invention will be more fully set forth inthe following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein Fig. 1 is a View in left side elevation of asetting-up machine of the electromagnetically powered type; Fig. 2 is anoblique view looking from the right front, of the head portion of themachine; Fig. 3 is a view of a partially folded box blank of the typewhich the machine of the present invention is particularly adapted tocomplete; Figs. 4, 5 and 6 are left side views taken adjacent thepressing surfaces of the machine, showing the successive steps inpresenting and inserting a partially formed box blank for completion andsealing of the end formation and particularly illustrating the operationof the presser bar by which the machine is set in operation; Fig. 7 is asectional detail in front elevation of the lower pressing surface orformer block and its support, taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 isa left side sectional detail thereof, taken on the vline 8 8 of Fig. 7,likewise indicating details of the presser bar control mechanism; Fig. 9is a detail View in front elevation of the clamp block for the presserbar and Fig. l0 is a schematic wiring diagram of the power-and controlcircuits for the press.

Introductory background The machine to be described is arranged foroperation in the same general manner, and on much thesametype of boxblanks, as the machine illustrated in U. S. Patent No. 710,930 to G. R.Wyman. .According to this extensively employed method of vbox making, aflat box blank is by successive steps partly folded, coated withadhesive in selected regions, further folded and finally subjected tosealing pressure, in a rapidly conducted sequence ofoperations. Certainof these operations are effected by manipulation of the box blank by theoperator, with other operations carried out with the aid ofpoweractuated instrumentalities.

Thus, the machine shown in Fig. l is adapted to receive between itspressing surfaces 12 and 14 the end formation of the partially completedbox ,blank shown in Fig. 3. This end formation comprises the infoldedcorner laps lo of the side walls i3, and the adhesively coated end wing20 and end wing extension 22. Just prior to insertion of the box endbetweenthe pressing surfaces, the end wing extension 22 is folded overthe iii-turned corner laps into the interior of the box, and the sealingpressure then applied. The operation is then repeated on the other endof the box.

General description 0f machine rlhe box-ending press of the invention isadvantageously constructed, and is herein illustrated, as a separateinstrumentality, mounted on its own pedestal or base separate from theadhesive-appiying apparatus. However, the press section will generallybe disposed in close relation to the adhesive-applying section, so thatthe operator may readily transfer the partially folded box blank, withyadhesively coated end wing and extension, from the adhesive section tothe press. Since the adhesive applying apparatus may advantageously begenerally similar in construction and mode of operation to theadhesive-applying mechanism shown in the above mentioned Wyman patent,is it not herein illustrated and described.

The press `indicated generally in Fig. l comprises a head sectioncarried by a sleeve 30 that telescopes over the rearwardly inclinedportion 32 of a pedestal 34 secured to base 36. A bolt 38 serves toposition the head section at a convenient height for the individualoperator.

To support the lower pressing surface or former block 14, the sleeve isprovided with brackets 42 to which is secured a plate 44. The formerblock 14 and an intermediate spacer block 46 are mounted on the plate 44by means of a bolt 48, the head of which projects below the plate andbrackets in order to be readily accessible. In accordance with usualpractice, the former block is changed when boxes of different sizes areto be set up. In order that the various sizes of former blocks may eachbe properly centered under the upper pressing surface, the plate 44 isprovided with a slot 50 extending inwardly from the forward edge of theplate. Pins 52 register with bores in the under side of the former blockto locate the latter on the spacer block 46 with the front edge of theformer block aligned with a wiper plate 54 secured to and extendingdownwardly from the spacer block.

The upper or movable pressing member 12 is mounted at the lower end of arod 56 extending downwardly from the power unit. A ball and socketconnection 58 (see Fig. 4) permits limited universal tilting movement ofthe member 12 to insure uniform sealing pressure over the box end. Arubber bushing 60 serves to hold the member 12 substantially normal tothe rod 56 when the press is open, while relative rotation of the member12 is prevented by a rearward extension 62 that slidingly engages a rib64 on the forward side of the sleeve 30.

The power unit, indicated generally at 68, by which the press isactuated, is advantageously of the electromagnetic type, although itwill be understood that other types of power mechanism may be employedto effect the reciprocation of the rod 54 and pressure plate 12. Thepower unit is secured to a rigid bracket at the top of the sleeve 30.Referring to Fig. 1, the cover 72 of the unit has been partially brokenaway to show an electromagnet 74, the configuration of which is that ofan E of revolution about the center leg 76, and with windings 78 aroundsaid leg. The rod 56 passes upwardly through the center of the magnet,and carries at its top a soft iron disc 80 which bridges the poles ofthe magnet to complete the flux path. Preferably both the disc and theelectromagnet are slotted radially at intervals to diminish eddycurrentlosses. A thin disc 82 of brass or other nonmagnetic material ispreferably employed between the disc and the poles of the electromagnetto prevent the parts coming into direct contact, with the possibility ofsticking due to residual magnetism, in case the press is actuatedwithout a box end between the pressing surfaces. A spacer 84 of rubberor other resilient material surrounds the rod 56 below the bracket 70 tocheck the rebound upon release of the press.

Control mechanism The application of power to the electromagnet toenergize the same and cause the press to close is effected by theoperator upon completing the insertion of the box end between thepressing surfaces. Control is effected by means of a switch of the typewhich is actuable upon relatively small movement of the plunger 92. Theswitch is mounted on a bracket 94 at the side of the sleeve 30 and isoperated by connections extending from a presser bar 96 located at theforward edge of the spacer block 46 between the top of the wiper plateand the edge of the former block.

The presser bar 96 is in the form of a rod extending laterally acrossthe central portion of the front of the spacer block 46, and is carriedby a pair of rods or arms 98 extending rearwardly through slots 100 inthe spacer block. At the rear of the spacer block, the rods pass througha transverse presser bar clamp 102 having at one end a Hat-headed screw104 aligned with the plunger 92 of the switch 90. At its other end theclamp 102 is pro- 4 t. vided with a thumb screw 108 for securing thearms of the presser bar in adjusted position. In order that both armsmay be clamped, a rod 110 (see Fig. 9) extends beween the arms in apassage in the member 102 so that clamping pressure applied to one armserves also to clamp the other arm. To permit adjustment of the presserbar 96 over a wide range of former block sizes, the rods S8 preferablyextend through the sleeve 30 and project at the rear thereof.

The presser bar 96 is adjusted relative to the clamp 102 so that withthe switch open the bar projects outwardly beyond the plane of the wiperplate a distance corresponding approximately to the range of movementrequired for actuating the switch. Thus, when the bar is pressed to aposition substantially Hush with the wiper plate, the switch is closedand the press actuated, by means to be described. To permit the bar tomove rearwardly to such flush position, the edge of the spacer block isrecessed at 114 to provide the necessary clearance.

Since the presser bar lies in the path of the box as the end wing andend wing extension are being wiped-up the plate preparatory to insertionof the box end between the pressing surfaces, it is necessary to preventoperation of the press during this engagement of the advancing box withthe presser bar. This is accomplished by locking the presser bar out ofoperation upon engagement with the box end, and thereafter releasing thebar from inoperative condition to permit actuation by the operator afterthe box has been fully and properly inserted in the press.

To accomplish this automatic lock-out operation during advance of thebox, the edge of the spacer block is provided, above the recess 114,with a ledge or shoulder 116 disposed rearwardly of the plane of thewiper plate a distance slightly less than the diameter or thickness ofthe presser bar 96. Thus, when the presser bar is set in normal fashionso as to project slightly beyond the wiper plate, the rear of the bar issubstantially in alignment with the ledge, and will just clear thelatter if the bar is lifted while in forward or released position.

As a result of this arrangement, when the presser bar is engaged by thebox end during the wiping up of the end wing (see Fig. 4) the bar israised to its upper position, in which it is backed up by the ledge 116.In this position, it is locked in forward position, and even thoughinward pressure be applied, it cannot move rearwardly to release theswitch, and the press thus remains inactive. However, as soon as the endwing and its extension have gone by, the presser bar drops down bygravity to its normal position in alignment with the recess 114,permitting a range of rearward movement that will result in actuatingthe switch when the bar is pressed inwardly.

Power supply and control circuits To energize the electromagnet andcause the press to close when the presser bar is moved inwardly, themagnet winding is supplied with current from power supply meansindicated generally at 120 and conveniently mounted at the base of themachine. The power supply also includes suitable timing and controlcircuits to insure a predetermined dwell on hold when the press isactuated, and for readying the press for another operation as soon asone cycle has been completed.

Referring to the schematic wiring diagram, Fig. l0, direct current forenergizing the magnet is provided by a rectifier 124, connected to themagnet by a solenoidactuated switch 126, preferably of the mercury type.The switch is shunted by a resistor 128 and capacitor 130 to minimizearcing on switch-opening.

The power rectifier 124 is connected to the usual A. C. power linethrough a relay 136 the solenoid of which is energized, when the pressis to be actuated, by direct current derived from rectifier 138 inseries with dropping resistor 140. The circuit likewise includes a shuntcapacitor 142 and bleeder resistor 144.

n the operation off the control.i circuit for the: relay 136, theclosing of switch 90 byv actuation' of the? presser bar 96 serves toconnect the' solenoid of relay` 136 through a series capacitor 146: tothe;` control circuit supply. The initial surge ofA current in chargingcondenser 146 actuatesl thel relay 136 and' thereby connects the powerrectifier 124 to line, causing V solenoid 126 to be energized andconnecting the magnet 68 to' the power rectifier. As condenser 146becomesl charged, the current drops to a low value, insuicient tomaintain relay 136 closed. As a result, even though switch 90 be heldclosed, the relay 136 will automatically open after a predeterminedperiod, thereby disconnecting the power rectifier from the line andderenergizing the magnet. A variable resistor 14S in shunt with thesolenoid of relay 136 permits adjustment of the flow of charging currentto vary the duration of the period the relay remains closed, and hencethe dwell` of the press.

To insure that the press, when actuated, will remain closed for the fullpredetermined period, whether or not the switch 90 is held closed by theoperator, a second plunger-actuated switch 150 is provided. This switchis mounted at the side of the sleeve 30 below the power head so as torespond to movement of the upper or movable presser plate 12. In orderto be out of the way, the switch is conveniently arranged to be actuatedby the rearward extension 62, acting on the switch plunger.

The switch 150 is of the double throw type, and is connected as shown inFig. l() so that when the press is in down or closed position, theseries circuit through the condenser 146 and relay 136 is completed inthe same manner as when switch 90is closed'. Accordingly, even thoughthe operator allows switch 90 to open by releasing the presser bar 96before the pressing and sealing operation is fully completed, it willhave no eect on the duration of the press dwell, because of the parallelcircuit provided by switch 150.

As soon as the charging of condenser 146 is completed, however, thepress will open dueto the de-energization of relay 136 asv alreadyindicated. The other pair of contacts of switch 15() will thereupon beclosed, disconnecting the condenser 146 from thel charging circuit andconnecting a bleeder resistor 152 across the condenser terminals todissipate rapidly the charge and ready the condenser for a new cycle.

By the above described arrangement, it will be seen that the actuationof the press requires only a brief pressure on the presser bar 96 tobring about the closing of the press, and that the duration or dwell ofthe pressing period is automatically determined, independently ofwhether the operator holds the presser bar closed for the full time oronly fora briefl interval thereof.

Operation The operation of the machine follows in many respects that ofthe Wyman Patent No. 710,930. The operator picks up a flat blank from astack and folds down the side walls 18 and inturns the corner laps 16 atone end. The end wing and end wing extension are then coated with anadhesive, advantageously in the same manner and with much the same typeof gluing mechanism as shown in said Wyman patent.

The box is now transferred to the press section, the end wing and itsextension being brought into contact with the wiper plate 54 as the boxis tilted to an approximately vertical position with the end to besealed at the top. The box end is then wiped up the plate 54, and duringthis upward advance the end wing extension engages the presser bar 96 tolift the same to its displaced position in which it is opposite theledge or abutment 116, thus rendering it incapable of inward movement toactuate the press. Since the presser bar extends but slightly beyond theplane of the wiper plate, the box end readily is carried past thepresser bar to a position in which the 6 box end is opposite the`opening; between the. pressing members. The forward overhang of* theupper pressing member 12 serves to stop the upward'` movement of the boxopposite the opening. lny the meantime the presser bar, freed of the boxend, drops by gravity to its normal position in which rearward clearanceis available for inward movement of the bar.

As soon as the box reaches the limit of its upward movement, theoperator pushes the box end intoy the space between upper and lowerpressing surfaces, thereby causing the end wing extension to be wipedaround the corner laps and into the box. When the box has been fullyinserted, the parts appear substantially as shown in Figure 5. Due tothe tendency of the box bottom to bow outwardly, it will be seen thatthe box end may be fully inserted before the box bottom comes into fullcontact with the wiper plate. As aA consequence, the operator must exertpressure on the box bottom in the general region opposite the presserbar in order to movev the presser bar inwardly and actuate switch 90. Bysuch arrangement, it is required that the box end will be fully andcompletely inserted in the press before the press is actuated, so thatsealing pressure may be applied over the entire area to be glued, thusinsuring high and uniform quality of production. This mode of actuationof the press is to be distinguished from treadle-actuated and otherarrangements wherein an operator may bring about press closing before abox has been fully inserted, thus producing boxes of inferior qualitybecause of incomplete sealing.

As soon as the operator has pressed the box bottom to close switch andenergize the electromagnet, the operator may release the actuatingpressure on the box bottom, and may even start to pull the box from themachine, Without interfering with the dwell of the press. This resultoccurs by reason of the supplementary switch which takes over control ofthe holding and deenergizing circuits once a pressing operation has beeninitiated by the operator. The box may therefore be quickly withdrawnfrom the machine as soon as the press starts to open, thus contributingto the speedv of operation.

it will therefore be apparent that there has been provided a press inwhich the insertion of a box, actuation of the press, and removal of thebox, may be carried out with ease and speed, so that the operator mayachieve a high rate of production. At the same time, due to the rapidresponse ot the control mechanism, a dwellv or sealing period ofappreciable duration may be provided within a relatively short over-allcycle, so as to permit effective sealing and setting of the box end`even with the somewhat slowly setting cold adhesives. In addition, anadvantage of major importance is the arrangement which insures that thebox end must be fully and completely inserted before the press can beclosed.

While the invention has been describedV and illustrated in terms of apreferred embodiment thereof, it will be understood that the inventionis not so limited, but comprehends other constructions and arrangementswithin the scope of the appended claims.

I claim as my invention:

l. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine comprising relatively movable pressing members betweenwhich adhesivelycoated and inwardly folded portions of a box end areadapted to be inserted, power operated means for effecting movement ofone of said pressing members relative to the other, a wiper plate incontact with which the box end is advanced toward the pressing membersand over which the box tits when the box end is inserted between thepressing members, a presser bar disposed substantially in the plane ofthe wiper plate and in the path of and engaged by the box end during theadvance of the box along the plate to the pressing members said presserbar being mounted for movement inwardly of the plane of the wiper plateto effect actuation of the power-operated means, and means operativeindependently of the force of engagement of the box end on the wiperplate during box advance for positively preventing inward movement ofthe presser bar during advance of the box end to the pressing members.

2. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine comprising relatively movable pressing members betweenwhich adhesivelycoated and inwardly folded portions of a box end areadapted to be inserted, power operated means for effecting movement ofone of said pressing members relative to the other, a wiper plate incontact with which the box end is advanced toward the pressing membersand over which the box tits when the box end is inserted between thepressing members, a presser bar disposed substantially in the plane ofthe wiper plate and in the path of and engaged by the box end during theadvance of the box along the plate to the pressing members, said presserbar being movable inwardly of the plane of the wiper plate to effectactuation of the power-operated means, and the bar "J likewise beingdisplaceable in the direction of advance of the box end to the pressingmembers, and means for preventing inward movement of the presser barwhen said bar is displaced in the direction of box advance.

3. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine comprising relatively movable pressing members betweenwhich adhesivelycoated and inwardly folded portions of a box end areadapted to be inserted, power operated means for effecting movement ofone of said pressing members relative to the other, a wiper plate incontact with which the box end is advanced toward the pressing membersand over which the box lits when the box end is inserted between thepressing members, a presser bar disposed substantially in the plane ofthe wiper plate and in the path of and engaged by the box end during theadvance of the box along the plate to the pressing members, said presserbar having a normal position in which it is movable inwardly of theplane of the wiper plate to effect actuation of the power-operatedmeans, and said bar likewise having a displaced position to which it ismoved by engagement with the box end as the latter advances toward thepressing members, and an abutment disposed to the rear of and alignedwith the presser bar when in displaced position for preventing inwardmovement and actuation of the machine during advance of the box towardthe pressing members.

4. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine comprising relatively movable pressing members betweenwhich adhesivelycoated and inwardly folded portions of a box end areadapted to be inserted, a power operated reciprocating member for movingone of the pressing members toward and from the other pressing member,ball and socket cor.- nections between the reciprocating member and thepressing member carried thereby, and means for mounting the otherpressing member in laterally adjustable relation to the movable pressingmember to vary the distribution of pressure over the box end.

5. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine having pressing members comprising a former block and arelatively movable pressure plate between which members adhesivelycoated and inwardly folded portions of a box end are adapted to beinserted, with the forward edge of the former block t closely adjacentthe inside of the box bottom, poweroperated means for effecting movementof the pressure plate, a wiper plate disposed substantially in the planeof the forward edge of the former block and extending into proximitythereto, a presser bar in control of the power-operated means andmounted intermediate the wiper plate and the former block for movementinwardly when pressure is applied to the box bottom, said presser barlikewise being displaceable toward the former block in the direction ofbox advance, an abutment rearwardly of and aligned with the presser barwhen the latter is displaced toward the former block during box advance,and connections between the presser bar and the power operated means foradjusting the presser bar relative to the edge of the former block andto the abutment to cause the presser bar to project forwardly of theplane of the wiper plate and edge of the former block and to bedisplaceable `onto the abutment by the box end to prevent inwardmovement of the bar during box advance.

6. A box making machine for securing the ends of a partially formed box,said machine comprising relatively movable pressing members betweenwhich adhesively coated and inwardly folded portions of a box areadapted to be inserted, power operated means for effecting movement ofone of said members relative to the other, a presser bar adjacent onepressing member and engaged by the box in the advance of the latter tothe pressing members and engaged by the interior of the box when the boxend is fully inserted between the pressing members, said presser barbeing movable inwardly of the adjacent pressing member to actuate thepower-operated means upon the application of pressure by the operator tothe box bottom in the vicinity of the presser bar, said presser barlikewise being displaceable by the box end along the path of box advancetoward the pressing members, and means engageable by the bar whendisplaced along the path of box advance for preventing actuation of thepower operated means during advance of the box to the pressing members.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS1,422,580 Kondolf July 11, 1922 1,474,480 Kimball et al Nov. 20, 19232,381,364 Osgood Aug. 7, 1945 2,561,485 Sillars July 24, 1951

